Break Free from Your Beauty Ruts

If you're sporting a feathered Farrah 'do (circa 1982), still consider bright pink your signature lipstick color or use foundation that could double as spackle, chances are you're in a beauty rut. The good news? You don't need a complete makeover to overhaul your look; a few little tweaks here and there can make a big difference when it comes to updating your style. Read on for tips from the pros on how to revitalize your beauty routine.

Beauty Rut: You Only Wear Conservative Eye Shadow Shades

"There's nothing wrong with wearing neutral hues, but a little bit of color on your eyes will give your whole face a fresh look," says Liz Pugh, international celebrity makeup artist for Rimmel London. To keep the look modern, stick to one color family––varying shades of purples, for example––when layering shadows or apply just one bold shade on your eyelid and below the bottom lash line. "If the idea of colorful shadow scares you, stick with your toned-down favorites, but consider swiping a vivid liquid eyeliner along your top lash line," suggests Pugh. "It's one of the easiest and quickest ways to give your eyes a pop of color." Try Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liners ($22; StilaCosmetics.com) which will give your eyes a little bit of sparkle and shine; plus, the waterproof formula means the color will last from day to night. When it comes to picking a shade, opposites attract. Navy blue emphasizes brown eyes; blue eyes come alive with gold; and green eyes sparkle against purples.

Beauty Rut: You've Had the Same Hairstyle Since High School

While those sky-high bangs were once cutting-edge, they hit their expiration date as soon as you received your high school diploma. If you're ready to make a permanent change, try asking your stylist for a haircut with long layers or a side-swept bang, which will help modernize your look, says Sam Brocato, owner of Sam Brocato Salon in New York City. If you're not ready to chop your locks, a small styling change can make a big impact as well, he says. A tweak as tiny as switching the side you part your hair on can create all-over volume you didn't know you had. Boost strands even more by using a thickening serum; Oscar Blandi Hair Lift Instant Thickening & Strengthening Serum ($28; OscarBlandi.com) will give your tresses a bit of va-va-voom. Just apply a dollop to wet hair after conditioning and your hair's ready to style as you please.

Beauty Rut: You Layer on Thick Foundation

If you're using pancake makeup that leaves your complexion looking more like paint than skin, it's time to lighten up. "Heavy foundation can settle into fine lines and actually make you appear older," says Vincent Longo, celebrity makeup artist and creative director for Vincent Longo Cosmetics, adding that the more you let your skin shine through, the more youthful you'll look. Choose a sheer liquid formula instead, like CoverGirl NatureLuxe Silk Foundation ($9.58; Drugstore.com), which will give you flawless coverage that looks natural. For blemish-prone or uneven skin, use a concealer brush to layer extra product onto problem areas so you won't have to apply a thick layer over your entire face.

Beauty Rut: You Never Change Your Hair Color

Whether you stockpile the same single-process box color or have never updated your natural shade, a brand new hue can mean a whole new you. While you might not be ready for a drastic change, a few face-framing highlights can brighten your complexion, says Brocato. Or, if your hair color looks washed out, ask your stylist to add some lowlights to put depth back into your strands. If highlights aren't for you, a semi-permanent formula is a smart single process option, he says. It will enhance your shade without permanently altering your color and fades naturally over time. Clairol Natural Instincts with Week 2 Color Refresher ($8.99; Clairol.com for stores) is perfect for commitment-phobes: The at-home kit deposits color that lasts through 28 shampoos without any visible roots. Plus, it comes with a color refresher to keep hair vibrant in between treatments.

Beauty Rut: You Won't Leave Home Without Straightening Your Hair

If you have wavy or curly hair, it's time to lay off those hot tools! Constant styling is probably dehydrating and damaging your hair, not to mention that natural waves and curls can be very sexy, says Brocato. To embrace going au naturale, start with a moisture-heavy shampoo and conditioner to keep hair hydrated so it's less likely to frizz. Then work in a styling product that defines curls and keeps them in place so they won't become unruly, like TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier ($19.95; TigiHairCare.com for information). Apply to towel-dried hair and either let it air dry or use a hair dryer with a diffuser if you want it to dry faster.

Beauty Rut: You Apply the Same Lipstick All Year Long

"As fabrics change from one season to the next, so should the texture and color of your lipstick," says Longo. Since your complexion changes color throughout the year, if you always stick with the same shade and formula you risk looking washed out. In the warmer months, a light product, like a balm or gloss in a bright hue, will keep your lips looking fresh and give your face an instant lift without looking too heavy, says Longo. Try Vincent Longo Gelli Gloss ($15; VincentLongo.com) which is sheer and summer-y, and will lend a hint of tint to your pout. Colder weather calls for firmer, more defined textures such as mattes and semi-mattes, which will last longer and complement heavier fabrics, says Longo.

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Beauty Rut: You Always Stick with "Safe" Nail Polish Colors

Even though you may take good care of your face, your hands will often reveal your age, showing sun spots, wrinkles or prominent veins. When you wear neutral polish shades (think beige, light pink, peach), people are more likely to focus on your hands instead of your nails. However, "bright shades are youthful and will draw the eye away from any signs of aging," says Essie Weingarten, president of Essie Cosmetics, Ltd. For the perfect summer shade, let the colorful shades of a sunset, like bright pinks, vibrant oranges and coral reds, inspire you. Blue-based brights, like Zoya polish in Tobi ($8; Zoya.com), are flattering on pale skin, while warmer orange-toned shades, such as Essie's Too Too Hot ($8; Essie.com), look great on darker skin tones.

Beauty Rut: You Over-Pluck Your Skinny Brows

Barely there brows can instantly age and harden your look, says Pugh. "Fuller brows frame the eyes and face and will give you a more youthful appearance," she says. The best way to deal with over-plucked brows is to lay off the tweezers and let the hairs grow back. Fill in the gaps with a brow pencil—choose one that's slightly lighter than your brows are––using tiny strokes in the direction the hair grows. We like Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil ($3.19; Ulta.com), which does a great job of mimicking tiny brow hairs. When your brows finally grow in, keep your plucking to a minimum (along the edges and some shaping). You can create the illusion of a higher arch by using a highlighter underneath your brow, or accentuate the shape with a brow pencil, she says. To tame long, unruly hairs, trim with brow-shaping scissors.

Beauty Rut: You Pride Yourself on Year-Round Pale Skin

While you do score major points for staying out of the sun, a faux glow looks healthy and can hide a multitude of problem areas. "Self-tanner tones down blueness from veins and helps minimize the appearance of cellulite on your legs," says Pugh. The key to faking a natural-looking tan is to pick a shade that suits your skin tone—so, if you're fair, use the lightest color. Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer ($7.89; Target.com) is a gradual tanner that will create a healthy glow. Bonus: The collagen and elastin-rich formula helps hide cellulite and firm skin. If you're a first-time self-tanner, follow these three steps for a flawless glow: Exfoliate skin, apply self-tanner evenly and let it dry completely before getting dressed.

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